Storm Mekkhala: two dead and 1,600 evacuated in Taiwan; 4 injured and one million urged to evacuate in Japan

Tropical Storm Mekkhala has caused significant disruption and casualties as it swept across Taiwan and Japan, bringing torrential rains and powerful winds. The storm, which had been downgraded from typhoon status, carried gusts up to 108 km/h, triggering widespread flooding and landslides.

In Taiwan, the storm's impact was deadly. A 73-year-old woman was swept away by floodwaters in the southern port city of Kaohsiung. In Hsinchu County, a 49-year-old woman was found dead inside a submerged car, and a 65-year-old man went missing after inspecting his farmland. These incidents underscore the severe dangers posed by the storm's heavy rainfall.

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There is a risk of extremely heavy rainfall reaching alert levels.

Japan is bracing for Mekkhala's arrival, with authorities recommending over a million residents evacuate their homes. Heavy rains have already hit southern and western regions, raising concerns about potential landslides and floods. The storm is expected to move along the coast, affecting major populated areas including Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo over the weekend.

Adding to the uncertainty, Mekkhala is projected to converge with Tropical Storm Higos, which is developing in the Pacific Ocean. This interaction could create a Fujiwhara effect, a phenomenon where two storms influence each other, making their future paths and intensity more difficult to predict. The Japanese government has warned of extremely heavy rainfall, with risks reaching alert levels, and reported injuries and significant building damage, primarily in the southern Kagoshima region.

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For the time being, we have received reports of one person seriously injured and three others slightly injured.